New theater head named at COC

15 years of directing plays

College of the Canyons officials named Paul Wickline chair of the theater department. He will also produce the 2008-09 student theater season.

"I am thrilled to be working with the college's theater department and Performing Arts Center staff," Wickline said. "They have a true passion for theater and daily demonstrate their commitment and dedication by offering students outstanding individualized instruction."

Before coming to COC, Wickline was a program coordinator and adjunct instructor at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Wickline also served as the director of theater arts at Walla Walla Community College where he directed Fort Walla Walla's annual Outdoor Summer Musical and founded the Walla Walla Summer Acting Camp for high school students.

"The theater has been my passion since the seventh grade," Wickline said. "I had a very influential teacher while I was in middle school who nurtured my talents and encouraged me."

Wickline has produced and directed more than fifty stage productions in the last fifteen years including: "Cinderella," The "Foreigner," "South Pacific," "Pippin," "Godspell," "The Fantasticks," "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and "Little Shop of Horrors." Additionally, he is an active performer in professional summer and regional theater productions.

"Paul is a great addition to the college's theater faculty," said Dr. Floyd Moos, COC's dean of fine and performing arts. "He brings a great deal of artistic vision, academic leadership, and management of the artistic process to our department."

COC's theater department offers courses in theory and practice. Faculty members are committed to teaching practical theatrical skills including acting, script-writing, design, technical production and directing. They also strive to provide a wide spectrum of production experiences for students to practice these skills. Wickline is eager to build upon the college's theater program and hopes expand the department to include a diversity of students.

"Theater courses at College of the Canyons aren't just for budding actors," said Wickline. "Students who take theater classes develop confidence, self-esteem, creative thinking, and the ability to speak clearly.

"They develop strong work ethics both individually and collaboratively and they become better students and better human beings."

Student recruitment will be high on Wickline's list of priorities. He also wants to increase the number of theater courses, performance projects, and productions available at the college each semester